Part of the Rajasthan Royals setup since 2013 and the team captain since 2021, Sanju Samson has been one of the IPL’s most consistent performers in recent years. The batter from Kerala boasts over 4000 runs in the IPL and has three centuries to his name in the competition. His first season as the captain of the Royals in 2021 saw him score 484 runs, including a remarkable 63-ball 119 against Punjab Kings in his first IPL match as captain. In 2022, Samson showcased a more attacking intent and scored another 400-plus runs in the campaign to guide the Royals to their second IPL final. IPL 2024 marked a personal best season for Samson as he amassed 531 runs at an average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.47. Samson’s consistency in the IPL has earned the ace wicketkeeper-batsman a place in the Indian cricket team’s white-ball setup as well. He played his maiden T20I in 2015 and made his ODI debut for India in 2021. However, 2024 proved to be his breakthrough year in the international arena as he smashed three T20I centuries - one against Bangladesh at home and two against South Africa abroad - within a span of five matches. No other batter in the world has scored more hundreds in the format in a single calendar year.
